What will be said about you?

     I heard the news yesterday that George H. W. Bush had died. It saddened me. I believe he was terribly lonely without his beloved Barbara. The requisite remembrances are on every newscast. With each segment I watch honoring the former President, I find tears sliding down my cheeks. I had the same feelings watching the funeral of Barbara only a few short months ago. She had a beautiful, meaningful service, the centerpiece being her enduring love for her husband and their family.

     I didn’t exercise my right to vote for years after the Nixon presidency. Being young and naive, I felt personally betrayed by all the scandal, though I’m not sure I understood it at the time. Nixon was my first Presidential election. Growing up in a republican household, (I even belonged to Young Republicans in high school) I couldn’t wait to vote. So as Nixon sat in front of the television audience and admitted guilt by resigning, I felt so duped I vowed to never vote again.

     Fast forward fourteen years and George H.W. Bush was the presidential candidate. I decided it was important to vote again because I liked him, liked what he said, liked what kind of person he appeared to be. I cast my ballot, George H.W. won, I felt good about the political process again. I really can’t tell you what happened politically during the next four years but nothing impacted me personally so it was easy to vote to return Mr. Bush to office. He was running against Bill Clinton and lost because of the adamant promise not to raise taxes, a promise he wasn’t able to keep. Under Clinton, the economy improved and so did my circumstances. I made the decision to vote for his return for a second four years.

     I grew up politically a lot during the next four years. I realized I wasn’t as aligned with republican ideologies as I thought. Nor was I completely aligned with democratic ones. I was and am, a combination of both although I suppose I lean a little more left. I believe we should help each other, are responsible to try and improve our world in whatever way we can. I was proud when we elected Barack Obama because I felt as if we were actually growing as a society. We were finally moving beyond our country’s past of bigotry and racism. While I’m not naive enough to have believed everything would change overnight, it felt like a long-overdue beginning. Much the same as electing a woman would be a start toward real gender equality.

     In eulogizing President Bush, they detail how kind, fair and honorable he was. How committed he was to a life of service to this country. He was a gentle man and a gentleman. As President he knew how important it was to keep his temper and behave appropriately as the chief representative of this country. Barbara and he were good parents and grandparents. They set a great example for public service. The love they shared was deep and abiding and there for everyone to see. I like to believe they are together again sharing that deep love and devotion.

     My tears aren’t for President Bush. He had a life very well lived. My tears are for me and for our country because I miss seeing a husband and wife who are devoted to each other and this country. I would rather have a president who is restrained, compassionate, sympathetic, mature and, most of all, decent. I believe words leave indelible scars, disrespect is infectious not easily forgotten even if forgiven. This country and it’s people are important, their lives are important, their living conditions are important. We the people deserve to be represented by a gentleman or gentlewoman, a gentle person.